Pitch Perfect at the All Write Now! Conference

Next weekend several members of the Coffee and Critique writers' group will be heading to the SEMO campus in Cape Girardeau for the Third Annual All Write Now! Conference.

A few of us have signed up to pitch projects to agents or publishers. At time of registration, we were allowed to select two members of faculty to present our pitches to during the conference.

I signed up for Jill Marr from the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency or Tiffany Schofield from Five Star Publishing. I won't know which one I'll get selected to pitch to, but I'll be happy to discuss my project with either lady.

Several years ago I pitched a work-in-progress to an agent who invited me to query her after I finished my project, which, for reasons I won't go into, is still incomplete.

Keeping the "practice makes perfect" motto in mind, some of our critique group member are going to be perfecting our pitches before our Coffee and Critique meeting next Tuesday.

That leads me to the purpose of this post. Please feel free to respond to these questions.

Have you ever pitched before?

What were the results of your pitch session?

What advice do you have for someone giving a pitch?

Specifically, what dos and don'ts  do you have to share?

Curious minds would like to know.

A Day in the Life of a Book Editor (Part I)

Jane Henderson talks
to Saturday Writers

Jane Henderson, book review editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was the special guest speaker at the July meeting of Saturday Writers. 

SW president Jennifer Hasheider, along with the rest of the board, did an excellent job recruiting and hosting Jane at the monthly meeting at the St. Peters Community and Cultural Arts Center.

During Jane’s talk, and afterwards at lunch, she was candid, approachable, informative, and gracious when describing her review selection process and when answering questions about books, reviews, writing, and the changing world of publishing. 

Here are some highlights.

* Jane receives about 300 books a week for review. She held up some of the books from her “July stack” and explained why she might send one book out for review but not the others. (Some selection considerations are listed below.)

* Most of the books sent to her come from mainstream publishers and small presses, although she also receives books from independent authors.

* Due to cutbacks in print space, personnel, and revenue, the paper has a limit of three reviews each week--although occasionally a feature writer will do a story about a writer if there's something newsworthy. (She remarked that several newspapers have discontinued their book review sections entirely.)

* The main area of focus for book reviews is the paper’s readers, not the author.

* The paper sometimes reviews paperbacks, but rarely reviews self-published books.

* The paper does not review self-help or diet books.

* When selecting which books to send to reviewers, some considerations are:

   Is it newsworthy?

   Is it unusual?

   Is it unusually well done?

   Is it something readers are interested in reading about?

   Is it something readers should be interested in reading about?

   Is there a local connection?

   Who published it?

   When was it published? 

   Has the book won a major award?

   Is the book written by a known name of someone who is coming to town?

   What is the story about?

   Is it original or the first book of its kind? (She used the example of follow-on books about wizards similar to the Harry Potter series are not as newsworthy as the original Harry Potter books.)

* Stories are important.

* The best books have good plots, engaging characters, extraordinary use of language, and compelling stories.

 * A review is not just free publicity; it is one person’s opinion about a book.

* She trusts her reviewers and doesn't edit a lot. Reviewers conform to the newspaper's style and standards.

In my next post I’ll share some of Jane’s suggestions for local authors and publishers who want to submit their books for review: when to contact her, what to include in their submissions, and what to avoid doing.

Check out Jane's book blog here.

Sweeter than Candy for Writers on St. Valentine’s Day: A Sample of Dianna Graveman’s Marketing Seminar

Since I can’t afford to give all my readers flowers or chocolate for St. Valentine’s Day—and to avoid tempting those of us who gave up candy for Lent—I decided to do something a bit different in today's post.

How about a sweet treat for writers who crave to learn more about the business-end of our craft? Sound tasty? I thought so too. Today’s post is healthier and less fattening, but more filling than chocolate! So, here’s the “skinny.”

Earlier this month, I received a message from Dianna Graveman of 2Rivers Communications and Design that she was giving a seminar on Advanced Marketing. I have known Dianna for several years, and I know how strong and current her background is in writing, editing, teaching, social media, and marketing. After checking my calendar, I decided to attend her seminar, and I’m glad that I did.

At $15, Dianna’s presentation at All On the Same Page Book Store in Creve Coeur, MO, was a bargain. The night of the event, Dennis and Robin Tidwell had to scramble to find extra chairs to accommodate the dozen or so writers who showed up at their cozy store.  

During her presentation, Dianna gave a preview of an article on Indy Publishing that she’s been assigned to write for the 2014 Writer’s Market. 

Not wanting to steal any thunder before her article is published, I asked Dianna if she’d mind if I blogged about her presentation. Dianna said she’d be delighted.

Here are some highlights from my notes:

Writers need to think like business people.

Speaking to groups sells more books than just signings.

Think beyond speaking to just writing groups.

Target your audience.

Offer value by speaking on a topic of interest.

Learn how to write a press release.

Join groups that promote events.

Send your host a jpg headshot and bio in advance.

Start local and expand.

Become familiar with social media tools.

Create a Facebook Event and invite contacts (That’s how I learned about Dianna’s seminar).

Follow-up with an e-mail (That’s how I remembered the date).

Don’t hard sell.

Send your host a thank you after the event.

Offer to write a blurb about the event.

Pass out business cards.

I hope my fat-and-sugar-free sampler of what Dianna talked about has whet your appetite and given you some food for thought about marketing. 

If you want to learn more about Dianna's upcoming presentations, click on this link.  

"Make Good Art!" Priceless Advice from Neil Gaiman

Have you ever heard or read or watched something so inspiring that you just had to share it with everyone you know?

That's how I felt earlier this week, the first time I watched this video of Neil Gaiman's keynote address to the University of the Arts Class of 2012 in Philadelphia on May 17.

During my first viewing I scribbled a few notes, thinking I'd stow them in my writing tips folder and read them later. But by the end of the video, I was so wrapped up in listening to what he had to say, I stopped writing. His words are so wise and witty and inspiring I had to replay the video.

I've watched the video again and again and have taken more notes.The video takes just under 20 minutes. Seriously, take the 20 minutes to watch it. It is well worth your time.

If you don't have the time right now and want a brief synopsis, here are some notes I jotted down:

* When you start out with a career in the arts you have no idea what you're doing. And that's okay because you aren't bound by the rules. If you don't know what's possible, it's easier to do the impossible.

* If you have an idea of what you want to do, just do it. Imagaine where you want to be. He didn't have a career plan, but he did have a list. He envisioned his goal as a mountain and kept walking toward the mountain. He learned to write by writing and turned down jobs that would've taken him away from his goal.

* Learn to deal with failure by developing a thick skin, but be proud of what you do. Freelancing is like sending out messages in bottles. You might have to send out hundreds of bottles before someone finds it or appreciates what's inside.

* Don't be afraid to make mistakes. He misspelled the name Caroline as Coraline . . . and we know what happened with that mistake . . . a book, a movie. Making art can be lifesaving. It can get you through good times and bad. When things go wrong . . . make good art.

* Be unique. Make the art only you can make. At first the tendency will be to mimic work of others, but take time to find your unique voice and talent.

* He shared some secret freelancer knowledge. Freelancers are successful because: their work is good, they're easy to get along with, and they finish their work on time. The secret is that any two of those three things will work. If you're not easy to work with but your work is brilliant and you deliver it on time, that's okay. If you are easy to get along with and meet your deadlines, but your work is not stellar, that will work too. You get the picture.

* Let go and enjoy the ride because your art can take you to amazing places.

* Luck can help. More than likely you'll discover that the harder you work and the smarter you work the luckier you will get.

* We're in a transitional world. The distribution channels are changing, but change can be liberating. Be as creative as you need to be to get your work noticed. The rules are changing, so make up your own rules.

* Be wise, because the world needs more wisdom.

* Make mistakes

* Break rules

* Leave the world more interesting for your being here

* MAKE GOOD ART!

I'm sure my notes don't give his talk justice, so if you really want to be inspired, watch the video.

Blog Me Baby Welcome and Questions about Judging Contests

Today I want to take time to welcome my newest follower, Abby from Something to Write About. If you get a chance pop on over to Abby's blog and check it out. Thanks for signing on, Abby. I hope you visit often and join the conversation.

I could use some advice.

I have been a contest judge several time in the past and am going to judge a contest in the immediate future. When I've judged works of fiction I first look at the basics (format, spelling, grammar, etc). Then I focus on story elements: character, voice and the story itself--does it have a beginning, a middle, and an end. I also like titles that enhance the story, and the language and images are also important. If an entry has a  unique voice, strong characters, and good writing I'll overlook minor spelling and grammar hiccups. I separate the entries into Yes, No, and Maybe piles and work from there.

The final question I ask to set the winning entries from the others is: Will I remember this story a year from now? For me, that's the key to pick the winner.

But I'm wondering if there are some elements other judges focus on when they decide which entries are the best.  Is there something I'm missing?

So, for my questions:

* Have you ever been a writing contest judge? 

* If you have been a judge, what do you look for in a winning entry?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Thoughts on a Snow Day

Snow started late yesterday afternoon and continued overnight. This morning our yard and street are awash in a wintry glow.

The first automated call came at 4:30 from Cari's school district. Her high school is closed due to the snow. Michael's school called around 5:40. Same announcement, different voice.

SNOW DAY!

Harley, our black lab, woke up early, but he put the skids on when I opened the back door to let him outside. He's no fool. When Walt opened the door, he listened and trotted outside. Why is that? It's the same way with the kids.

When I went in their bedrooms to tell them there was no school, Cari said, "Good. I can sleep in." Michael said, "Good. I can sled." Then they both went back to sleep.

So, this morning instead of making breakfasts and lunches, double-checking homework, and rushing around getting the kids out the door in time for school, I'm sipping a cup of tea, reading, and writing. Life is good.

While I'm warm and cozy inside, not everyone is. Last night and earlier this morning the city trucks have been by clearing the streets.

Today the mail carriers have their work cut out for them. Thinking about mail carriers, I found this article on readersdigest.com. "Thirteen Things Your Mail Carrier Won't Tell You." After reading the list, I appreciate #4, the advice about Media Mail (I use it when mailing books) and #10 about using ball point pens. I shudder when I think about the stories mail carriers can tell with #11.

Hope you can enjoy your day today, no matter what kind of weather you're having.